Inflation and deflation of a tire in rotation

ABSTRACT

To assure inflation of a tire 2 during its rotation, a hose 3 is placed onhe inside periphery of rim 1. A pressure roller 5, solid with the wheel carrier and therefore non-rotatable, causes a local reduction in the section of hose 3. During rotation of tire 2, air is forced from an orifice 31 forming an air intake, to an inside volume 20 of tire 2, via a check valve 4. To provide deflation, a roller rests on a pusher which controls the opening of valve 4.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention:

This invention relates to a device intended to be mounted on the wheelof a vehicle, able to assure the inflation of the tire, as well asdeflation, when the wheel is rotating.

2. Background of the Related Art:

The inflation pressure of tires is a very important parameter for goodoperation of the tires. It is important to maintain this pressure at arated level. In some cases, it is even desirable to be able to modifythe pressure as a function of the conditions of use of the vehicle.Therefore, systems have been developed which are able to assureinflation of tires even when they are being used. For example, systemsare known which include a rotating joint transmitting the pressure froma stationary space, i.e., the vehicle itself, to the mobile space inrotation, i.e., the wheel. Systems are also known which use thedeformation of the tire to pump air. If these latter are able to avoidthe use of a rotating joint, their construction is so complex that theyhave never been developed on an industrial scale.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a simple device which is ableto assure inflation of a tire when it is traveling and which does notrequire a rotating joint.

The invention also has as an object a means to allow the deflation ofthe tire while it is rotating.

In order to insure the inflation of the tire there is provided adeformable hose mounted for rotation with the tire and arranged at leastin part substantially along an arc of a circle coaxial with the tire.The hose has one open end in communication with atmospheric pressure andanother open end in communication with a gas pressure inside the tire.Means are provided for locally reducing the sectional area of the hosewhen the tire is mounted on the vehicle, the reducing means beingstationary relative to the rotation of the tire. A check valve isconnected between another end of the hose and the gas pressure insidethe tire for permitting gas flow only from the hose to a volume insidethe tire. As a result, a rotation of the tire causes a local reductionin the sectional area of the hose to move along the length of the hoseand compress the air therein, the compressed air pressure beingtransferred to the volume inside the tire via the another end of thehose.

In order to provide for the deflation of the tire, there is provided anorifice formed in the rim of the wheel, a pusher element extendingthrough the rim in a gas tight manner, the pusher element having one endcommunicating with gas pressure inside the tire and including means forselectively closing the orifice. The pusher element is mounted to therim for movement between a first position wherein the means forselectively closing closes the orifice and a second position wherein themeans for selectively closing opening the orifice. The pusher elementhas another end outside of the tire with a cam mounted thereto. Apresser means mounted to be stationary relative to the rotation of thetire selectively engages the cam and moves the pusher element to thesecond position to deflate the tire.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendantadvantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a section schematically showing the general arrangement of theinflation device;

FIG. 2 shows a detail of the inflation device and of the deflationdevice, in a rest position;

FIG. 3 shows the same detail, in an inflation position;

FIG. 4 shows the same detail in a deflation position;

FIGS. 5 and 6 show, in section, the control of deflation; and

FIG. 7 shows a variant of the embodiment of the inflation device withthe tire inflated and deflated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A rim 1 carrying a tire 2 is shown schematically in FIG. 1. The insidevolume of the tire is designated as 20. The air necessary for inflationof tire 2 is compressed by locally reducing a sectional area of, i.e.,crushing, a hose 3 and by moving the constriction thus made from orifice31, at one open end of the hose 3 in communication with the atmosphericpressure, to opposite orifice 32, at an other open end of the hose andconnected to inside volume 20 of tire 2. Hose 3 is rotationally fixed totire 2. In order to provide this constriction in a simple fashion, hose3 is arranged at least in part in a circle concentric with the tire andis fastened, for example by gluing, to radially inside face 10 of rim 1.

The constriction is caused by the action of a reducing means in the formof a presser 5 rotationally fixed relative to a stationary space, forexample by being mechanically fixed to the wheel carrier (not shown).Hose 3 is oriented so that, during rotation of tire 2 and due to themovement of the stationary presser 5 (relative to the rotation of tire2), air is forced from orifice 31, forming an air intake, toward orifice32. A check valve 4 is placed between orifice 32 and inside volume 20.

Orifice 31 may be positioned at any desired spot, preferably at alocation in which it is protected from dirt and water spray. The part ofthe hose that is used for pumping therefore is that which is arrangedapproximately circularly. Preferably, check valve 4 is placed as closeas possible to the end of the portion of hose 3 which is crushed by thepresser.

The presser preferably consists of a roller 5 which is held away fromhose 3 when the device is at rest and which presses the hose against rim1 only when it is desired to cause inflation. Roller 5 is rotatablearound a pin 50, which is fixed relative to a journal 5a mounted to thewheel carrier. The functioning of the device is very simply controlledby altering the radial position of roller 5. For example, the roller 5is held away from the rim in a rest position, and against the hose in anactive position (hose 3 crushed), by the action of an electromagneticfluid actuator 5b connected to the journal 5a, or by any other suitablemeans.

In the drawings, roller 5 is shown in an active position in solid linesin FIG. 1 and is also shown in FIG. 3. It is shown in a rest position inFIGS. 2 and 4 and, in broken lines, in FIG. 1. To assure maximumefficiency of the device, roller 5 sufficiently deforms hose 3 to closethe inner section of the hose during its passage.

The size of the section of hose 3 is determined as a function of thedesired speed of inflation for tire 2. If necessary, several hoses canbe placed in parallel or else the hose can be formed as a coil to assurecompression of the air over more than one revolution. In any case, thereshould be provided means for axially guiding roller 5 along hose 3. Forexample, projections 11, 12 may be placed on rim 1 (FIG. 2) to guideroller 4 axially when it crushes hose 3.

It is also possible for hose 3 to extend along less than one revolution,i.e., over an arc only. In this case, it is possible to place severalhoses in an arc, with a check valve 4 for each one.

Use of an inflation device according to the invention is mostadvantageous when it is associated with a system assuring constantcontrol of the pressure of the tire. For example, the roller 5 may beadvanced to an active position by the electromagnetic actuator (shownschematically as 5b in FIG. 2) responsive to a detected value of thepressure, i.e., an electric pulse is provided to the actuator so long asthe pressure in the tire is insufficient. The great advantage of thisarrangement is to be able to continuously compensate for normal pressurelosses, without the driver being concerned. Since control of inflationis performed solely in the stationary space, this advantage is verysimple to achieve.

Because it provides a simple and reliable solution to the problem ofinflation of tires during travel, the device according to the inventionalso makes it possible to envisage causing deflation of the tire so asto offer, on demand, the optimum inflation pressure of the tire for theuse of the moment. By associating the device with a permanent system ofcontrol pressure and with a deflation system, it is possible to achievea wheel whose tire inflation pressure becomes a parameter on which it ispossible to act constantly.

By way of example, the deflation system can neutralize the checkingeffect of the check valve 4, letting air escape to reduce inflationpressure, depending on the signal it receives. FIGS. 2 to 6 show adevice for deflation of a tire in rotation, comprising a pusher 7 goingthrough rim 1 on which tire 2 is mounted, whose end 7A (FIG. 4) in theinterior of the tire controls the opening of orifice 32 to let the aircontained in the pneumatic enclosure escape, and to whose opposite end7B is fixed a cam 8 intended to work with second presser which isrotationally fixed, in order to cause deflation.

Thus, control of deflation is also performed from the stationary space.The second presser is formed by a roller 6, rotatable around a pin 60fixed to journal 6a. The roller 6 is mounted to the wheel carrier and,therefore, just like roller 5, is rotationally fixed relative to thestationary space. The roller 6 may be advanced in the same way as theroller 5, i.e., by an electromagnetic actuator 6b. When it is desired todeflate the tire, roller 6 is caused to press on deflation pusher 7,which causes an equivalent movement of support 71 for needle 41 of valve4 in opposition to spring 42. As needle 41 is lifted, it uncoversorifice 32 to allow passage of air. Pusher 7 achieves a tight passagethrough rim 1 thanks to joint 70 and provides radial positioning ofneedle 41.

Cam 8 is a blade having ends resting on the rim and formed of resilientmaterial and so acts as a spring to hold check valve 4 pressed againstorifice 32 in the rest position. The cam 8 also acts as a track so thatpusher 7 works with roller 6 acting as a presser when roller 6 isradially moved toward the rim. It therefore constitutes a control cam ofpusher 7.

Therefore it is seen that when tire 2, mounted on rim 1, rotates, andthe radial position of roller 6 is moved to the level shown in FIG. 4,check valve 4 is lifted during a portion of each revolution, thusallowing a little air to escape through hose 3 to reduce the inflationpressure. For control of roller 6, it is possible, for example, toprovide that it is moved radially from a rest position toward the rim byany suitable means such as that used for roller 5, until rollingpermanently on projection 12 forming a radial stop. It is thus possibleto control inflation and deflation by separate rollers, each having aradial positioning system as illustrated, these latter being, ifnecessary, slightly axially offset; it is also possible to control theinflation or deflation by the same roller having an axial positioningsystem.

Therefore, this invention makes it possible to achieve an active wheel,i.e., a wheel whose tire inflation pressure is a parameter which iscontrolled without having to send a command (electric, hydraulic orpneumatic) into the mobile space in rotation to make the inflationpressure vary.

The following illustrates another application of the invention where itis the tire itself which compensates somewhat for an air leak.

FIG. 7 shows a variant of the invention where the means to assureinflation by reducing the sectional area of a hose makes use of tread 21of tire 2. Here the inside face of tread 21, in case of deflation asshown in chain lines, rests directly on hose 3 fastened, at least inpart, on radially outside periphery 15 of an element 16 of rim 1. Theinside face of tread 21 actually constitutes the non-rotatable means forpressing on hose 3 when deformed by contact with the road. Collapsing oftread 21 thus constitutes a means equivalent to bringing roller 5 nearthe hose in the earlier embodiment. Hose 3 therefore is positioned onthe inside of tire 2. Of course, one end of the hose goes through therim to the outside of the tire to form the suction orifice 31.

Element 16 of rim 1 is to be understood to be either an annular supportattached to the inside of the rim and intended to support the load whentire 2 is deflated, as shown in FIG. 7, or a part of the rim itselfdesigned for this purpose, for example, the middle zone of a rim fora/reverse hooked tire of the type shown by the German patent applicationDE 30 19 742. Thanks to this inflation device, it is possible to providemore flexibility to a support for emergency traveling with a moderatebut not zero inflation pressure.

It is also possible to insert, between the rigid support 16 (outsideperiphery 15) and hose 3, a spacing piece 17, for example of solidrubber, incapable of carrying the load, but which makes it possible toassure early contact between the hose 3 and tread 21 during collapsingof the latter.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is thereforeto be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, theinvention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically describedherein.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:
 1. A device for inflating a rotating tire,comprising:a deformable hose mounted for rotation with a tire, said hosebeing arranged at least in part substantially along an arc of a circleand coaxial with the tire, said hose having one open end incommunication with atmospheric pressure and another open end incommunication with a gas pressure of a volume inside the tire; meansactivatable for selectively locally reducing the sectional area of thehose when the tire is mounted on a vehicle, said reducing means beingstationary relative to the rotation of the tire; and check valve meansconnected between said another end for said hose and the volume insidethe tire for permitting gas flow only from said hose to the volumeinside the tire, whereby a rotation of the tire causes a local reductionin the sectional area of said hose to move along the length of said hoseand compress air therein when said reducing means is active, thecompressed air pressure being transferrable to the volume inside thetire via said another open end.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein thetire is mounted on a rim and said hose is at least partially fastened toa radially inside periphery of the rim.
 3. The device of claim 1 whereinsaid means for locally reducing comprise a presser roller and means formoving said presser roller between an active position in contact withsaid hose for locally reducing the sectional area thereof and a restposition out of contact with said hose.
 4. The device of claim 1 whereinthe tire is mounted on a rim having an annular support element whichextends into the volume inside the tire, wherein said hose is fixedadjacent a radially outer surface of the support element, whereby aninner surface of the tread locally reduces the sectional area of thehose when the tire is deflated.
 5. The device of claim 2 wherein saidmeans for locally reducing comprise a presser roller and means formoving said presser roller between an active position in contact withsaid hose for locally reducing the sectional area thereof and a restposition out of contact with said hose.
 6. A device for inflating anddeflating a rotating tire mounted on a rim, comprising:a deformable hosefastened to a radially inside periphery of the rim, said hose beingarranged at least in part substantially along an arc of a circle andcoaxial with the tire, said hose having one open end in communicationwith atmospheric pressure and another open end in communication with agas pressure of a volume inside the tire; means activatable forselectively locally reducing the sectional area of the hose when thetire is mounted on a vehicle, said reducing means being stationaryrelative to the rotation of the tire; and check valve means connectedbetween said another end of said hose and the volume inside the tire forpermitting gas flow only from said hose to the volume inside the tire,whereby a rotation of the tire causes a local reduction in the sectionalarea of said hose to move along the length of said hose and compress airtherein when said reducing means is active, the compressed air pressurebeing transferable to the volume inside the tire via said another openend; an orifice formed in the rim at said another open end forcommunicating said volume inside the tire with said hose; a pusherelement extending through said rim in a gas tight manner, said pusherelement having one end communicating with the volume inside the tire andincluding means for selectively closing said orifice, said pusherelement being mounted to the rim for movement between a first positionwherein said means for selectively closing closes said orifice and asecond position wherein said means for selectively closing opens saidorifice, said pusher element having another end outside the tire; a cammounted to said another end of the pusher element; and presser meansmounted stationarily relative to the rotation of the tire andactivatable for selectively engaging said cam and moving said pusherelement to said second position to deflate the tire; wherein said checkvalve comprises said means for selectively closing said orifice.
 7. Thedevice of claim 6 wherein said means for locally reducing comprise apresser roller and means for moving said presser roller between anactive position in contact with said hose for locally reducing thesectional area thereof and a rest position out of contact with saidhose.
 8. The device of claim 6 wherein said cam comprises a resilientblade having ends resting on the rim, said blade comprising means forbiasing said pusher element into said first position.